§ 19. Mr. McNultyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to encourage the active participation by organisations in the United Kingdom in the European year against racism. [24630]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienI am pleased to report that thousands of organisations throughout the United Kingdom were involved in this initiative which ended on 31 December. After May I chaired the National Co-ordinating Committee which brought together representatives from business, industry, voluntary organisations and community and faith groups. My Department funded a public information unit at the Commission for Racial Equality which offered help and advice to thousands of organisations across the country and we also provided financial support to a number of organisations running projects under the Year. Hundreds of organisations put in bids for the £300,000 we made available after May to promote the European Year Against Racism.